CLOSING THE BOOK: Farrington Governors

Farrington freshman Richard Tagataese ended the season with two touchdown passes against Campbell. Photo by George F. Lee/Star-Advertiser.

The Farrington Governors finished a brutal season 2-10 in 2018, but they benefited from a coin flip by showing marked improvement in the OIA Open playoffs against Campbell.

The Open Division was not kind to the Governors, causing them to win their fewest games since 2001 under Davis Pila and lose 10 games for the first time in the program’s long history. It was also the worst season by margin of victory (-16.6) since 1953 under first-year coach Francis Aiwohi, who was replaced by Al Minn immediately afterward.

It is hard to determine which side of the ball to assign most of the blame to, since the 16.4 points per game were the worst since Randall Okimoto‘s 12.8 in 2005. The team allowed 33 points per game, the worst mark in school history and rivaled only by Aiwohi’s crew which gave up 29.9 in an era when scoring was a fraction of what it is now.

2018 TOP PERFORMANCES

Passing

Senior Chris Afe led Farrington’s passing game, which has never been a strength of the program but seemed to struggle even more this year. Afe threw for 717 yards and four touchdowns to six interceptions, but Farrington got a glimpse of the future with freshman Richard Tagataese throwing for 446 but nearly as many interceptions (4) as touchdowns (5). Afe put the season’s best yardage game together when it stepped away from Oahu competition, throwing for 156 yards on 23 attempts against Carson of California. Afe didn’t have a touchdown in that game, but was picked once while connecting on nine of his 23 attempts. It was the first time Farrington failed to have a quarterback throw for 160 yards in a game since 2012 when the Governors leaned on Abraham Silva and Tyler Taumua‘s running ability to move the ball.

Rushing

Sophomore Raymond Millare was the brightest star on the offense, but he struggled behind rare bad line play for the proud program. Millare led the way with 387 yards and six touchdowns, but ran in only a single score after the fifth game while getting more than 10 carries in a game only twice. Selau Kalani seemed to carry the load down the stretch with 29 carries in the final two contests, finishing with 236 yards and four touchdowns including three in his final four games. How low are those numbers for the third-leading rusher? The Governors have had five running backs exceed Kalani’s season rushing totals in a single game: Sanele Lavatai (2013), Resti Pagiuriagan (1987), Talbert Kahakai (1992), Harry Tuimaseve (2009) and Randall Okimoto (245). Samsen Tanuvasa held the running game down in the middle of the season, gaining 343 yards on 80 carries with four touchdowns including the breakout game of the campaign. Tanuvasa enjoyed the team’s trip to the West side, gashing Waianae for 141 yards and two touchdowns on only 14 carries. It was the first time since 2004 the team had only one instance of a 100-yard game from a running back, when Ameko Vaimasanuu was the lone rusher over the century mark.

Receiving

With only two playmakers at his disposal, Sanchez had to get creative in order to get the ball into their hands. That made Millare the team’s top receiver in 2018 with 25 catches for 472 yards and five touchdowns, joined by Kalani’s 29 grabs for 433 yards and two scores. Just as with the rushing game, Kalani had the only receiving game over the century mark with 113 yards on four catches against Carson. He had the school’s second-biggest yardage game the week after that with 89 and a touchdown against Kapolei. Even with the low numbers, Kalani’s 113-yard game was the most for the school since Mosi Afe had 145 against Kapolei two years ago.

Defense

The Governors rose up for a week and posted at least one shutout for the ninth consecutive season when it blanked a then-ranked Kapolei team 13-0. The win proved to be the difference in getting a shot to win a coin flip to make the four-team OIA Open playoffs. Calijah Mareko intercepted a pass and Bryson Alualu had a sack for the Govs, who held the Hurricanes to just 13 rushing yards and 169 total yards for the entire game.

HEAD COACH
>> Daniel Sanchez is 2-10 after completing his first season.

Farrington defensive back Ezekiel Fesili-Ripley (27) defended Waianae wide receiver Chad Pule (3) and broke up a pass. Photo by Steven Erler/Special to the Star-Advertiser.Farrington quarterback Chris Afe led the Govs in passing yards this season. Photo by Bruce Asato/Star-Advertiser.Kapolei’s Sinai-Taheed Robello (2) was tackled immediately by Farrington’s Sunia Ketuu (53) and Tymon Paleafei (10) after making a catch. Photo by Darryl Oumi/Special to the Star-Advertiser.Farrington running back Samsen Tanuvasa (22) scored on a 71-yard rushing TD against Waianae. Photo by Steven Erler/Special to the Star-Advertiser.

COMMENTS

KalihiFB
November 5, 2018 11:47 am

I coached Samsen Tanuvasa basketball when he was in 8th grade at a private Catholic school in Kalihi. He was a true athlete and saw alot of potential. He tried to get into St. Louis school but it did not happen. But like all the great running backs that played at Farrington’s history, Samsen represented the Govs very well. I am proud of you Samsen!!!

Keep the Kalihi kids playing their hearts out Coach Sanchez! May the new football field at Farrington continue to bring excitement in Kalihi!

farringtongovs
November 5, 2018 12:44 pm

bit unfair to compare stats from this season where the Govs competed in the Open Division to years past where it was all schools were mixed in or in recent years; D1 & D2. BUT…. it is what it is. Teams in D1, D2 should see improved stats and in Farrington, Waianae, Kapolei’s case’s decreased stats due to the level of comparable competition. Tough competing in the Open Division as all three schools; Farrington, Kapolei & Waianae found out. One would have never thought they’d see all three of the programs go 1-4 in OIA League play and 6-25 overall. Looks like the Govs have a nucleus to work with next season. Good Luck to the Governors and may they rise up to carry on the proud Kalihi banner of tradition and pride!

Mahatma Gandhi
November 5, 2018 6:00 pm

Top Farrington school district players must get picked clean by St Louis.

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